Register file
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsSam Gat-Shang Chu, Saiful Islam, Shelton Siuwah Leung, Jose Angel Paredes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A register file is often used within integrated circuitry to temporarily hold data. Sometimes this data needs to be retained within the register file for a period of time, such as when there is a stall operation. Conventional register files have utilized a hold multiplexor to perform such a stall operation. The multiplexor however inserts a delay that is undesirable in high performance integrated circuitry. The multiplexor is replaced with a tri-state inverter coupled to the global bit line of the register file, which minimizes this additional delay from the register file data access time.
Claims12
A register file comprising:
- a register array comprising a plurality of register file cells coupled to a bit line;
- a latch coupled to the bit line;
- and
- an inverter coupled between an output of the latch and the bit line, wherein the output of the latch is an output of the register array.
A register file comprising:
- a register array comprising a plurality of register file cells coupled to a bit line;
- a latch coupled to the bit line;
- and
- a transmission gate circuit coupled between an output of the latch and the bit line, wherein the output of the latch is an output of the register file.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.